Chronic Wasting Disease

_{REVIEWING THE DISEASE AND IT’S IMPLICATIONS FOR BC DEER by Devon Harscarl}

A serious threat has emerged in British Columbia with the first detection of chronic wasting disease affecting deer (CWD) in the Kootenay region. Concerns have been raised by British Columbians due to CWD’s reported 100% fatality rate for infected hoofed mammals, or cervids, a group of wildlife that, in BC, includes deer, moose, elk, and caribou.

History of CWD

CWD, a progressive, fatal disease that affects the brain, spinal cord and eventually other body parts, was first identified in the late 1960s among captive mule deer in Colorado, USA. Since then, it has spread to wild deer, elk, and moose populations in North America, with cases reported in several U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Its history in neighboring provinces and states has led to the spread into British Columbia.

The first confirmed cases in B.C were found in the Kootenay region south of Cranbrook in early 2024. The B.C. Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship revealed that two deer—one harvested by a hunter, and another struck by a vehicle—tested positive for CWD.

Signs, Transmission, and Diagnosis

Abnormal proteins, or prions, cause small holes to appear in affected brain tissue, causing damage that gives the brain a spongy appearance, deteriorating brain function over time. The prions accumulate in the brain, nervous system tissues, and other bodily organs and muscle tissues.
CWD spreads through direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids, and through indirect exposure to contaminated environments or materials. This includes contact with saliva, feces, urine, contaminated food, water, soil, and surfaces. Animals infected with CWD may not display symptoms for months to years after infection, however they can spread the infection without showing symptoms. In later stages of the disease, infected animals may exhibit symptoms such as weight loss, poor coat condition, poor coordination, lethargy, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, and eventual paralysis-altered behavior.
The fatality rate for CWD is 100% over the course of the disease progression, and there is currently no cure.

Risk to Human Health

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC) states on their website that while there is no direct evidence that CWD can infect humans, people are advised to take precautions. To prevent potential risk of transmission or illness, Health Canada advises not to eat meat or other animal parts of infected animals, or from animals that look sick or have died from unknown causes, or has tested positive for CWD. Cooking temperatures do not destroy the abnormal protein that causes CWD.

What is the Response to this Disease so far?

• Starting with this publication, Simpcw NRD and Estsek’ biologists are helping to get the word about this disease out to the public. In early spring, we will join other regional Indigenous organizations to meet and discuss the issue and management implications within Secwepemcúl̓ecw.
• The Chief Veterinary Officer has issued General Order CWD2024-001 (PDF, 255 KB) in response to the detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in B.C. The order applies to the boundaries of the Initial Response Area (PDF, 545KB), defined as Management Units 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, and a portion of 4-22. This is south of and including Highway 3, which is situated between south of Cranbrook toward the United States border, west to the Moyie Range, and east to the Macdonald Range. The order applies to all cervids, including deer, elk, moose and caribou.

• The BC CDC provides information resources for CWD directly on their website (bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/chronic-wasting-disease), where information directed specifically towards hunters and trappers, and butchers is provided. Links to additional related content is also provided.
• As of February 12, 2024, the wildlife Health Program Lab has processed 925 deer head samples submitted for mule deer, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, caribou, elk and moose between 2022 and 2023, from both male and female animals across BC. All listed results were posted as negative for CWD.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR LEARNING MORE ABOUT THIS DISEASE ARE AVAILABLE

1. BC CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE PROGRAM WEBSITE
   • Regulatory Responses:
   • mandatory testing, restrictions on the transport and disposal of road-killed cervids in the CWD Response Area
   • Latest news and resources
   • Educational materials, posters
   • Frequently Asked Questions
   • CWD surveillance and testing programs
2. USGS WEBSITE – USGS.GOV, KEYWORD SEARCH “CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE”
3. THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION PODCAST SERIES
   • “The Chronic Wasting Disease Chronicles”: https://www.nwf.org/Outdoors/Our-Work/CWD-Chronicles